How To Prevent The Next Gout Attack

Content

• Consider A Protein Supplement
• What Is Gout, And What Causes It?
• Instead Of Beer, Try Other Alcohol In Moderation
• Reclaim: Five Foods To Help Manage Gout

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Because of this, it is recommended to avoid some alcohol, such as beer, altogether and consume others, like wine, only in moderation. However, some fruit juices may need to be avoided or limited. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Consider A Protein Supplement

Red meat can be a once-in-a-while food if you want to control your gout with diet. The risk for developing gout increases with age — 12% of individuals 80 years or older have gout. Having an overweight or obese body mass index is also a risk factor.

But where does this uric acid that causes all this trouble come from? Gout flare-ups are caused by an overabundance of uric acid. Uric acid is a compound created when the body breaks down purine-rich foods, including liver, mackerel, dried beans, and anchovies. High concentrations of uric acid make it more likely to crystallize, causing pain. Goutis distinguished from other foot pain by a variety of symptoms. The swelling and pain from gout is usually centered in the joints of your foot and is worst in the big toe.

What Is Gout, And What Causes It?

Drinking a half-gallon of water a day can assist in diluting the uric acid, making it easier for the kidneys to expel it before build-up begins. Cut Down Meat Consumption – Meat, particularly seafood, fatty fish, and red meat, tends to be high in purines. Keep your daily meat consumption to a minimum, and instead supplement your protein with beans and legumes.

Are Nuts bad for gout?

Bananas are low in purines and high in vitamin C, which make them a good food to eat if you have gout. Changing your diet to include more low-purine foods, like bananas, can lower the amount of uric acid in your blood and reduce your risk of recurrent gout attacks.

Request an appointment with one of our podiatrists today. We�ll go through your options, which include prescription anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids, and come up with a treatment plan that works for you and your life. Studies say that acute attacks of gout are often triggered by overindulgence in alcohol.

Identifying These Gout Triggers Could Help You Prevent A Flare

You don’t have to avoid all purines , but you do want to limit your consumption. Cherry juice has surprisingly been found to decrease levels of uric acid. Incorporating cherries or cherry juice (without added sugar of course!) into the diet may help prevent disease flares.

Instead Of Beer, Try Other Alcohol In Moderation

one survey, 73% of people with gout surveyed said they had limited physical activity due to gout. Before you make any diet changes, be sure to talk to your primary care doctor. If you have specific questions about your diet or are experiencing more gout flare-ups, call our office today for an appointment. Exercise is not a treatment for a gout attack, so don’t try to work out during a flare-up.

Moderate consumption of wine doesn't appear to increase the risk of gout attacks. Avoid alcohol during gout attacks, and limit alcohol, especially beer, between attacks. Some types of seafood — such as anchovies, shellfish, sardines and tuna — are higher in purines than are other types. But the overall health benefits of eating fish may outweigh the risks for people with gout. It’s important to better balance your diet because it can help prevent both gout and gout attacks. Additionally, being overweight is a risk factor for gout, but eating a well-balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Gout Remedies That Work

If you’re in the habit of starting your meal with a big slab of meat or other purine-rich protein source such as shellfish or sweetbreads, rethink your proportions. Instead of defining your meal by the protein, dive into the veggies. One myth is that if someone is suffering from gout, then they're probably not eating right. But gout is the result of a mix of both genetics and environmental factors. The coffee does not come with a load of cream, sugar, or sugary syrup.

Though it was previously considered best to avoid all types of alcohol with gout, recent research has shown that wine, in moderation, may not contribute to increased risk of gout. Be sure to consume only one serving of fruit at a time, such as a small apple or orange, 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of juice, 1 ounce (a palm-full) of dried fruit, or a half-cup of fresh fruit. Gout triggers can be individual, so pay attention to the fruits you eat and if they seem to set off a gout attack. The types of foods you eat can have a direct impact on gout symptoms and severity.

Foods To Help Beat Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation

Water and other liquids help your body get rid of uric acid. There are ingredients that are higher in purines that can cause a problem for people with gout. Limiting these ingredients is one key to helping prevent a flare of the arthritis. Males, and people living with kidney problems, obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of fat in the blood are especially at risk. Avoiding soda, fruit juices, and other beverages and foods with high sugar content may help prevent gout flare-ups as you navigate the holidays this year. Cookies, fruit punch, and other common party staples often contain high amounts of sugar, which can increase blood sugar levels.

Taking medications to manage the cause of your gout and treat active gout flares. Some people with gout may be more likely to develop other conditions or complications, especially with the heart and kidneys. With early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes, gout is one of the most controllable forms of arthritis.

Reclaim: Five Foods To Help Manage Gout

Learning how to decrease flairs or prevent gout all together requires focusing on food. Some people may have frequent flares, while others may not have another flare for years. However, over time, if left untreated, your flares may last longer and happen more often. Fill out this short form to learn how we can help you get relief from foot and ankle pain.